The little tale of Little Wood … Part Three …

If you missed the first two parts of our building story, you can catch them here and here. Head over for a nosey and then come back and join us…

On to the final instalment then!

In January of 2013 our floors were poured, and it quickly became apparent that they were never going to dry in time for our moving deadline of the end of March. I, perhaps unrealistically, had this notion of moving in when everything was done. Having a finished home, after all the upheaval, rather than one still full of workmen, with us manoeuvreing around them. Three children in the midst of a building site, just didn’t appeal and so we sat it out in our rented house, and watched it all slowly take shape.

Upstairs moved on quickly – bathrooms were plumbed and fitted and then tiled, the decorator started on bedrooms and we picked carpet and paint colours. I remember spending a whole afternoon just looking at paint brochures. To this day friends ask me how I could even get my head around choosing colours, why I didn’t just go for ‘Magnolia everywhere’. To be honest, that would have been so much easier, but I figured if we were paying to get it done, then I may as well have the colours I wanted to begin with. Thankfully, everything turned out just as I hoped – we had no paint emergencies – and I even chose bedroom and hall wallpaper too.

Downstairs, our hall fireplace went in, and the kitchen was tiled ready for being fitted. I remember the day the kitchen people arrived clearly, sending Mr M over to take photographs of the first pieces in place. When you put so much thought and time into planning something, to see it come to fruition is kind’ve amazing and a tiny bit surreal. It was a day I thought I’d never see.

Our reclaimed hall floor and radiators were fitted just days before we moved in, and the decorating was ongoing. In fact, the day before we moved, on 26th April, there were ten vans parked in our driveway. It was all hands on deck – everyone pulled together in the end.

Moving day was nuts. The painter was still in the process of painting skirting and doors, and around this we had family cleaning and moving our belongings. It was exhausting but also elating. The atmosphere was good, and the adrenaline pushed us on.

Our first night in Little Wood, as rough and unfinished as she was, is one I’ll always remember. We put the kiddies to bed, ordered takeaway, opened some Champagne, and collapsed in a heap on our new sofa – the same little spot we still spend all our evenings on now.

There were doors still not painted, places with no skirting board, no granite work top or kitchen taps, but we were in. It would take weeks before everything was done – we still did have to manoeuvre round workmen – and to this day there are a million jobs still unfinished.

But from the day and hour we closed our front door, and it was just the five of us. In fact, from the moment Mr M drew those first pencil sketches and we walked the field and imagined our little family there.

Little Wood was our home.

E x

If you have enjoyed reading this story, and want to see more of our home, you can take the Little Wood tour! Just click on ‘our little wood’ under the archive in my sidebar, and then on the photograph of the room you’d like to visit. I’d love to show you round!

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17 Comments

Dont ask why as I dont know the answer but this was an emotional read. It truely felt like I was moving with you seeing it all take place. Such a beautiful home and wonderfully captured. Enjoy enjoy enjoy x

Oh my goodness, I am in heaven! Your home is absolutely stunning, so cosy and inviting. All those hours of painstakingly going through the colour charts paid off, it’s beautiful. Such an enjoyable read, thank you. x x

Oh my this is so so wonderful! What a story and how amazing that you’ve designed and planned it all yourself! It feels a bit like watching Grand Designs too haha! Your house is wonderful – Tom and I would love to design our own house.xx

My husband just turned to me and said “I can’t stop looking at this house”. A timbered framed insulated house our out dream, we need to find a site first! We want to get everything from reclamation yards in the UK….your house is our dream!Well done,ye should be very proud,it’s just beautiful x

WOW what a dream home indeed. I have loved your little story even with the hiccups you hit it was well worth it wasn’t it? Absolutely stunning. I someday will come visit you my lovely. hahaha To step foot in something so magical everyday must be a blessing! I love how you decorated it too. The kitchen is my favorite though. My dream for sure and from your other post I am thinking those lavendar bar stool are going to be amazing in there!!!

What a massive achievement that you all have achieved, it is a stunning house and so beautifully done. Well done! You can now sit back and enjoy your family, have all those years and all those memories. Amazing!

I’ve only just read the build story now Emma, and am so glad that I did. It goes to show that everything doesn’t run smooth and it’s worth waiting for. Well done to you both for holding it all together during those difficult years. I lost my job in 2011 so I know how stressful it is only too well.

Just read this and drew some similarity with our own story. I often think back to those beginnings of our journey as a couple with a young family and think if we can get through that we can make it through anything. It’s amazing what strength you gain from each other. Well done on making yourselves a wonderful home for your wonderful family x

Oh Emma, I’ve just read all 3 parts of your Little Wood story and found it incredibly moving. You are such a special family and it shines through in your words. Just so pleased you are living such a wonderfully happy ending. x

Such a moving story. Thanks for sharing such an honest account of your journey. You and your family are so deserving of such a beautiful home that you have both worked so hard for. I love reading your stories, you’re a beautiful writer. x